Archive for the ‘Futurliner’ tag

We nearly deleted the press release from RM’s Auction America about a Futurliner at the May 12-15 Auburn auction, thinking it was a display. But not only is it actually going to cross the block at the auction, we didn’t even recognize it as one of the nine known GM Parade of Progress show vehicles.

So after consulting with the auction house, we turned to the guy who knows more about GM concept vehicles than any other, Joe Bortz, who filled us in on this particular Futurliner.

It turns out it’s actually one of five Futurliners once owned by Joe, who famously saved them from being chopped up into diners. He sold this and another to a California collector in the mid-Eighties, and it’s been essentially unseen ever since.

It is a “known” Futurliner, although Joe says he was never able to establish a number for it, and we didn’t recognize it because it’s been spiffed up a little for the auction with new tires, windshield and siding. It’s not running but should contain a near-complete restorable original drivetrain. Additionally, Joe says it’s the most complete of all the Futurliners, with original features that no others had, and when restored could be the most authentic.

For comparison, National Automotive and Truck Museum of the United States (NATMUS) will be bringing their restored (ex-Bortz) Futurliner for display, and Joe thinks it will be the first time in about 50 years that two have been seen together publicly.

Auctions America estimates $450,000 to $600,000 for the bus; we’ll be watching closely to see where it ends up.

* Newsday recently took a look at high-dollar collector cars and compared the collectors who seek those cars out to other investors. I know, not really news, though they did a good job of capturing that scene as it exists today. What I found most interesting was the comment from James Glickenhaus further down in the article:

“There is a huge business in buying and selling classic cars, and these guys will tell you whatever you want to hear,” says Glickenhaus, whose collection includes seven Ferraris. “To the average person, it is not a good investment.”

Recession? This year’s Hershey was big. More vendors than the last few years; just as many spectators; 1,600 cars in the car show; and business was reportedly brisk for every major vendor. Oh, and the weather didn’t totally suck like it normally does. Look for our coverage in upcoming issues of Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car and Hemmings Sports and Exotic Car, but for now, a sampling of what caught my eye in the swap meet.

We expect, after the one that sold earlier this year, that interest remains high in seeing one of these behemoths up close and personal. I saw one in person – one of the two owned by Peter Pan Bus Lines – last weekend at the Big E in Springfield, Massachusetts (and, of course, didn’t have my camera with me), and was hoping to catch the NATMUS one at Hershey, but us editorial folk will only be there from Thursday to Saturday this year.